Reinhardt, Adolph (Ad) F., 1913-1967

This is an important exchange of letters between Merton and a famous fellow alumnus of Columbia University. These two friends discuss art theory, Merton's forays into abstract art, other Columbia friends including Robert Lax, Reinhardt's conversion to Islam, Zen and other eastern religions, civil rights and the March on Washington. Reinhardt sends Merton a series of cryptic symbols representing words in which he later uses in letters to Merton and Robert Lax.

Ad Reinhardt, known as the "black monk of abstract art", graduated Columbia University not long after Merton arrived. He continued to produce art for Columbia's satirical magazine, The Jester, which was one of the publications in which Merton was involved. Even when Reinhardt considered himself a Communist, Merton saw religious significance in his work. Later, Reinhardt's paintings were influenced by eastern philosophy and Islam. He became an increasing minimalist, using fewer colors until he used only black. Merton treasured a painting of a black on black cross that Reinhardt did for him. Reinhardt visited Gethsemani in the late fifties. (Source: The Thomas Merton Encyclopedia, edited by William Shannon, Christine Bochen, and Patrick O'Connell, pp. 384-385.)

Split second flash speed note. Business efficiency bubbles all around. We are delighted with yours

comments on the symbols sent / asks whether they could be used for the cover of a book or pamphlet - likes cross-shaped or ones containing the word "Pax" / Rice's cover design / "The Georgia Cracker cleric in person waits to be seen" [includes many symbols on the front and back - one for Reinhardt]
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Do I want a small painting? You inquire if I want a small painting. What you wish to know: do I

colorful description of how much Merton would like a small painting by Reinhardt - "The small painting will be laid in reverence upon the altar of Saint Panteleimon… As the hart thirsteth for the waterbrooks I thirst for the small painting." / Lax's sickness caused by "malevolent pixies" / gives odd advice or proverbs
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Your letter found me, as I hope this does not find you, in the hospital. The small painting arrived

Merton's hospital stay where he had both an impacted molar and "piles" (hemorrhoids) removed - describes pain and humiliation - advice - "Brother, keep your piles and with them your honor." / arrival of the small painting by Reinhardt - honor for Kentucky, which "can now… brush its hair and talk English."
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Once, twice, often, repeatedly, I have reached out for your letter and for the typewriter. Choked

former classmates and tragedies / asking forgiveness from art community for art book that Merton has disowned / centuries of early Islam vs. Merton, a "boy of the twenty first century" which "has very slim chances of ever existing" / Victor Hammer / down with subject and object! / reconciled with Moslems
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Sometimes we see jolly old friends only at sad funeral, dear relatives and classmates only at

the need to abandon favorite religious writers - Coomaraswamy, Suzuki, Tillich, Maritain, Merton - Buber all right? - why Reinhardt became a white Muslim / travels in the middle east / finds himself with iconoclasts and pro-objectivists / has Merton given up hope in sacredness and art?
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Ulfert Wilke was here, and before that I was doing calligraphy - but since I have done more. As

[followed by a series of 13 of Merton's "calligraphies" - ink drawings - no indication of whether all were sent at this time / one references later date "For Ad - Happy New Year of the Dragon - 1964 - Tom Merton"] Merton's recent stay in hospital for cervical disc / sending calligraphies
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Well, October has thirty one and here I am again your friendly old calligrapher always small

Merton - "grandfather of small calligraphy" / asking for scraps of nice painting paper / sending more "calligraphic hats for New Years" / Reinhardt wrong - Ned O'Gorman was at the March on Washington as reported by Jubilee along with "Catholic babes… well fed" / snapshots of old distilleries
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Well, October has thirty one and here I am again your friendly old calligrapher always small

Merton - "grandfather of small calligraphy" / asking for scraps of nice painting paper / sending more "calligraphic hats for New Years" / Reinhardt wrong - Ned O'Gorman was at the March on Washington as reported by Jubilee along with "Catholic babes… well fed" / snapshots of old distilleries
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Rev. M. Louis Merton, O.C.S.O. -- is that still your title, rank, status, position, do you get

[no date, between 1963/10/31 and 1964/01/12 letters / contains a cutting of the special Japanese paper sent and which Merton later used to paint a calligraphy] Merton's rank and status / Reinhardt soon a "Dean of Abstract Art" / what is Merton dean of besides "small calligraphy" / Stuart Davis / Josef Albers / Robert Lax
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Yes, as one dean to another, I am frequently promoted as dean, usually by myself as I get little

Merton - "dean of small abstract calligraphy" and title of Louis - nature of "promotion" in the monastery / use of a bigger brush for calligraphy / Robert Lax returning from Greek islands / "American hubris that starts and will start wars" - raising flag in Panama
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